Prophylactic oophorectomy in ovarian cancer prevention

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 257 - 262
• Main Authors: Kontoravdis, A., Kalogirou, D., Antoniou, G., Kontoravdis, N., Karakitsos, P., Zourlas, P.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.1996; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hysterectomy; Hysterectomy, Vaginal; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Oophorectomy; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - epidemiology; Ovarian Neoplasms - prevention & control; Ovariectomy - statistics & numerical data; Prophylaxis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the genital tract and mammary gland; Time Factors; Uterine Neoplasms - surgery; Hysterectomy; Oophorectomy; Prophylaxis; Ovarian cancer; Human; Prevention; Ovarian diseases; Ovary; Carcinoma; Ovariectomy; Surgery; Bilateral; Malignant tumor; Statistical study; Female genital diseases
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-7292(96)02724-5

Objective: To evaluate prophylactic oophorectomy in the prevention of ovarian cancer. Method: Between 1970 and 1990, 5262 hysterectomies were performed at Areteion Hospital, Athens. Results: Ovarian cancer was subsequently diagnosed in 520 women (9.9%). The mean interval from hysterectomy to diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 7.2 years. If prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy had been practiced routinely in women undergoing hysterectomy at age 40 or above, 9.4% of cases would have been prevented. Conclusion: We recommend bilateral oophorectomy for all women with a positive family history of ovarian carcinoma and for all women undergoing hysterectomy after the age of 40. The decision for prophylactic oophorectomy as a complementary procedure to other indicated gynecologic surgeries should depend on the individual patient and her ability to comply with lifelong estrogen replacement therapy.